Research: Maternal micronutrient deficiencies may adversely affect fetal and infant health, yet there is insufficient evidence of effects on these outcomes to guide antenatal micronutrient supplementation in South Asia.

This study was designed to assess effects of antenatal multiple micronutrient vs iron–folic acid supplementation on 6-month infant mortality and adverse birth outcomes.

The cluster randomized, double-masked trial in Bangladesh started with pregnancy surveillance on Dec. 4, 2007, and recruitment on Jan. 11, 2008. Six-month infant follow-up ended Aug. 30, 2012. Surveillance included 127,282 women; 44,567 became pregnant and were included in the analysis and delivered 28,516 live-born infants. Median gestation at enrollment was 9 weeks (interquartile range, 7-12).

Women were provided supplements containing 15 micronutrients or iron–folic acid alone, taken daily from early pregnancy to 12 weeks postpartum.

Researchers concluded that in Bangladesh, antenatal multiple micronutrient compared with iron–folic acid supplementation did not reduce all-cause infant mortality to age 6 months but resulted in a non–statistically significant reduction in stillbirths and significant reductions in preterm births and low birth weight.

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